VIDEOSTIK MOTORCYCLE TOOL

Ever need to look inside a gas tank to see if there’s rust or sandblast material in there? What about looking inside the engine through the spark plug hole to find out if the cylinder walls are marred? With the VideoStik from VOscope you can do all that, as well as inspect the bore of a mainshaft (the hole where the clutch rod goes) for damage and inside a transmission to look for broken teeth on gears.

The VideoStik (VSXX-6W/b n$422) is much more versatile than a standard boroscope, since the thin 6mm shaft, the part goes inside tiny places, is waterproof and flexible. On the tip of this shaft is the newest in high-resolution, auto-focus color cameras. The camera’s viewing distance is from 4″ and out with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The images it sees in its 55-degree viewing angle are sent to the attached 2-1/2″ full-color viewing monitor.

All this comes with a one-year warranty and is powered by four standard AA batteries, which provide about three hours of viewing. A simple rocker switch turns it on and off. The VideoStik’s operating temperatures range from 32 degrees F to 113 degrees F, so you’ll be uncomfortable before it will. The VideoStik comes in a protective plastic case for storage. Available accessories include a magnet that is claimed to pick up any object of up to a quarter pound and a mirror that allows you to see 90 degrees to the axis of the shaft.

I can’t tell you whether that’s true or not, since our test model didn’t come with them. But I can tell you I had no problem checking the cylinder walls on an Ironhead project that rusted on the outside waiting for me to get back to it. I definitely want this little gadget in my toolbox! AIM